The Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched the first National Multi sectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2018-2027. The plan was endorsed by Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen of Royal Government of Cambodia. Representatives from the Council of Ministers, senior officials from twenty two Ministries, Directors of twenty five Provincial Health Departments, UN Agencies, Investment Case Team of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on NCDs (UNIATF), representatives from development partners and NGOs participated in the launching ceremony.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has achieved significant improvement in health in last decades, including reduction of maternal and child mortalities, the increase of life expectancy, the elimination of measles, to name a few. However, there are still many health issues to address, and one of these is the double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia recognized NCDs as a priority, but the Ministry of Health alone cannot tackle this problem. Involvement from relevant ministries as identified in this Multi-sectoral Action Plan is very crucial,” stated Prof. Dr Mam Bun Heng, Minister of Health.
UNDP Country Director Mr Nick Beresford emphasized that: “The 2030 Agenda also recognizes NCDs as a major challenge for health and sustainable development. As part of SDG 3 to ‘ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,’ countries committed to the target of reducing by one third premature mortality from NCDs by 2030, and promoting mental health and well-being”.
“The launch of the National Multi-sectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2018-2027 is a significant milestone and contribution of the Royal Government of Cambodia for the preparation of the third UN High-level Meeting on NCDs during General Assembly in September 2018. WHO stands committed to supporting the Government to achieve the national targets on NCDs and reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said Dr Liu Yunguo, WHO Representative in Cambodia.